United to front up

Controlled aggression will be the name of the game for Wairarapa United in their Capital Soccer division one men's match with Kapiti Coast United at the latter's home grounds tomorrow.
Wairarapa United coach Phil Keinzley knows Kapiti Coast's reputation for being a side which adopts a "very physical" approach but while he wants his side to fight with fire he is also aware of the need for them to maintain their discipline.
"We know they will be in our faces all game and we have to counter that by being equally assertive ourselves," he said. "But we have to ensure we do it in a way where the cards don't start coming out???..we can't afford to lose any players in a game like this."
Keinzley said it was important too that Wairarapa United did not deviate from their game plan which would revolve around playing a structured style of soccer
"They (Kapiti Coast) tend to play the long ball through and hope that somebody will get on the end of it and make things happen so it's crucial we don't get fooled into playing their type of soccer, " he said. "We have to keep our structure and trust that the breaks will come."
The Wairarapa United coach believes the tightness of his team's defence will have an important part to play in the end result.
He anticipates goalkeeper Charles Kendall and experienced fullbacks Robbie Bull and Paul Watkinson leading the way there , aided and abetted by midfielders Murray Burling, Lai Gataurua and Andrew Taylor.
"Keeping a clean sheet on the scoreboard has to be the aim for us, the longer that happens the more pressure it puts on the opposition," he said.
But it won't only be on the field of play where Wairarapa United will need to keep their cool.
Three opposing coaches have been red carded at Kapiti Coast's home games already this season and Keinzley doesn't intend to be the fourth.
"They way they play the game makes it tough on opposition coaches to stay silent and some of them have obviously let their frustrations get the better of them," he said. "Hopefully we'll be ok in that regard."
The ideal results for Wairarapa United this weekend would be for them to win their game and for competition pacesetters Western Suburbs to lose to third placed Wellington United.
If that occurs then Wairarapa United and Western Suburbs will be joint division one leaders with just two games to go, and Wairarapa United would have the No.1 spot because of their better goal difference.
Conversely though if Wairarapa United lose tomorrow and Western Suburbs win then the chances of the league title going to Wairarapa United would be very remote.